Striker Andy Cook maintained that keeping Mansfield Town’s unbeaten run intact was the most important factor after his second-half brace rescued a point against Forest Green Rovers.
Stags’ boss John Dempster introduced the frontman into the action at half-time after seeing his side fall behind to midfielder Aaron Collins’ long-distance effort.
And despite the hosts striking again on 61 minutes, the former Walsall man ensured his side would leave The New Lawn with a point following two well-taken goals.
Cook’s first strikes in amber and blue filled him with pride but he ultimately turned his attentions to the overarching result.
“It was nice to come on and get off the mark,” he began.
“It’s my first league goals for the club – but the main thing is getting the draw to keep the unbeaten run going.
“Otis put the ball in the box and I knew straight away it was a great ball.
“The second one [goal] was a little scrappy in the box but it fell to me and I hit it.
“The ‘keeper’s got a touch to it and I didn’t think it was going to go in but eventually it did, so happy days for that!”
The 29-year-old also revealed how he was told to operate in the second period, despite being absent from the dressing room at half-time.
“I wasn’t in there [the dressing room] because I was warming up. I was told to go up top, be a nuisance and be big and strong.
“That goal [Forest Green’s second] woke us up and we started to create more chances. We were unlucky not to get the winner.”
Cook divulged his thoughts on his current place in the Stags’ roster as he eyes up more opportunities as a result of his brace on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m buzzing because I’ve not really played as much as I’d like to have played,” he continued to tell iFollow Stags.
“You’ve got [Danny] Rose and Nicky [Maynard] who have been doing well, and obviously I need to get match fit.
“The manager picks the team what he thinks is going to win the game, so hopefully the two goals will get me a start.
“It’s a hard place to come. Not many teams will come here and take a point off them so I think we’re all happy, especially being a two down.”
iFollow Stags subscribers can watch Andy's interview in full by logging into mansfieldtown.net/ifollow later this evening.
